When you are a 28th place team every game is tough. Two days after a 4-3 OT victory over the 27th place Florida Panthers, the Oilers at least have some momentum heading into a showdown with the 10th place Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Oilers, most likely Andrew Ference and Jeff Petry, will have the pleasure of trying to shut down the dangerous duo of Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis. Stamkos is 2nd in NHL scoring with 20 points, while St. Louis is tied for 17th with 16.

Those two have scored 40% of Tampa Bay's goals, and only twice this season have both of them been held pointless. The Bolts lost both games, 3-1 and 5-0, and both losses came against the Bruins.

The Oilers don't have a Zdeno Chara, so it is unlikely the Oilers can shut out Stamkos and St. Louis, but they will need to contain them.

The Bolts have five players with 4+ goals, while the Oilers only have two, Gordon and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Twenty different players have scored a goal for the Oilers this year, but they need get a few more players scoring consistently. It is difficult to win regularly without a few go-to players, but the Oilers will get a huge boost as Taylor Hall returns to the lineup.

LINEUP...

Hall will play his first game since being injured in Ottawa and Eakins is hoping Hall can jumpstart two struggling players, Gagner and Yakupov. Hall is the best option to do that.

The only aspect of the line juggling that I question is moving Ryan Smyth to centre. Smyth struggled mightily last season playing in the middle. He excels on the wall, not in the middle of the ice. You can't expect him to contribute when he is playing centre.

There is no way you could demote Mark Arcobello or Boyd Gordon to the 4th line. They've arguably been the two most consistent forwards all year. There is no way Eakins could retain respect within the room if you demoted them, yet played struggling players like Yakupov, Gagner, and recently recalled Linus Omark ahead of them in the top-nine.

Smyth at centre has to be a short-term experiment. He is better on the wall.

I'm most interested to see who Eakins will use to try and contain Stamkos and St. Louis. Gordon is his best defensive forward, but with his wingers I'm not sure that is a matchup Eakins wants to run. I'm guessing he'll try to get the RNH line out against them.

Ference-Petry
Smid-Larsen
N.Schultz-Fedun

There is no reason to switch up the D pairs. Petry and Ference are the Oilers best option to face 91/26. I liked Larsen's game in Florida, especially on the PP. Fedun and Schultz won't outmuscle many players, but both play smart, positional defence.

Dubnyk

Tampa Bay is getting solid goaltending. Dubnyk needs to match Ben Bishop's play to give the Oilers a chance.

YAK SUPPORT....

Yesterday head coach Dallas Eakins and Craig MacTavish made it clear that Nail Yakupov wasn't being shopped.

“Nail Yakupov is not being shopped, he’s not going anywhere and I wanted him to hear that from me, look me in my eye, and let him know that we’re attached at the hip," Eakins said after he had a heart-to-heart chat with Yakupov on the ice in Tampa Bay that had some speculating the first pick in 2012 might be a healthy scratch.

While scouting the Rangers/Pengiuns game, MacTavish said this to the media, "We very much believe Nail will evolve to become that dynamic, electric player — become one of the most entertaining guys in the game. I told that to Igor (Larionov) (Yakupov's agent) and I told that to Yak. Development is very rarely a straight line. It has ups and downs.”

It was smart for the coach to tell a young player who is struggling he believes in him, but the harsh reality of pro sports is that if you aren't performing you likely won't be playing much. Yakupov didn't see the ice for the final 9:30 or regulation, and the 1:55 of OT, while the Oilers were trying, unsuccessfully, to protect a lead.

That isn't surprising, considering he's not a defensive stalwart just yet, but if he continues to sit for long stretches, and continues to struggle offensively, will the Oilers consider a stint in OKC?

MacTavish wisely said development is rarely a straight line. Yakupov isn't the first sophomore to struggle, but due to his age they could let him gain some confidence in OKC. Yakupov has high-end skills, so he could score tonight and no one will worry about his offence, but if his slump continues the Oilers should consider OKC a viable option.

QUICK HITS...

Unless they acquire another goalie the Oilers need to stick with Devan Dubnyk. Jason LaBarbera is not going to perform better, so tell Dubnyk he's your guy, and tell him to stay focused the entire game. Challenge him to be consistent.

The Oilers have actually played pretty well at ES on the road this year outscoring teams 26-25. They've been decent at ES, but they've been outscored 9-3 on PP. Their PP is only 9.4% on the road. Their PP looked much better in Florida, and if it can get going, they might start to pull out some wins away from Rexall.

GAME DAY PREDICTION: Four of the last five games between these two teams in Tampa have ended in 3-2 scores with each team winning twice. In those four games Oilers won, Tampa won, Oilers won and Tampa won, so based on extensive scientific research (none whatsoever) the Oilers continue that trend tonight with a 3-2 victory.

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Omark scores, because Oilersnation thrives on drama/debate.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: After opening the Florida broadcast with a muscle shirt and shorts, Mean Gene Principe starts his segment standing along the boards at the zamboni entrance. He does a quick spin-o-rama then walks towards the camera talking about the return of Hall and Omark's recall from OKC. As he gets closer, he tosses it upstairs to two guys who are "classy" and "no joke", Louis Debrusk and Kevin Quinn, and then stares into the camera and drops the mic. BOOM.

** Principe was playing off the words of the Tampa Bay Lightning players after Omark's infamous SO goal on December 10th, 2010, when they whined about his move being a joke and Dan "cancelled my twitter account" Ellis claimed it "wasn't very classy."

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

A couple of years ago the Tampa Bay Lighting sign a 21 year old undersized undrafted player to an AHL contract. Kid plays well in the AHL, gets a shot with the big club. Kid exceeds expectations, so they showcase him, sometimes with sheltered minutes, sometimes with talented line mates. At age 23 kid gets serious consideration for NHL Rookie of the Year. The kids name is Cory Conacher. So, what do the Lightening do? Rather than sit around and thank their lucky stars, they have the COURAGE to trade the kid while the kid is at his peek of expectations/potential, to the Ottowa Senators for back up goalie Ben Bishop.......THAT TAKES COURAGE! THATS NOT EASY...THAT IS BOLD !

Except for the part where they showcase him and then have the courage to trade him at peek value, this is actually the story of the Oilers Mark Arcobello.

Well, Dubnyk is the official whipping boy for Oiler fans everywhere. The Oilers played well tonight, but we are all delusional to think that goaltending is the only thing that is stopping this team from being a contender.

The giveaways on the first were absolutely terrible. They were both no pressure giveaways to one of the best two goal scorers in the game. But that was Dubnyk's fault too.

Then Smid gets turned inside out and a one-timer from 5 feet goes in. But that was Dubnyk's fault too.

I am not saying that Dubnyk has played well this season...he hasn't been good. But the giveaways and defensive liabilities were far more atrocious in this game then our goaltending.

Uh, no one believes that its only just Dubnyk. And Dubnyk has now officially earned the right to be the whipping boy.

I have the solution for change, fellow Oilers fans!
You deserve better!
Do not go watch games at Rexall
Do not buy merchandising.
Do not watch games on TV.
Katz is happy: as a businessman, his coffers stay full with all the money he sucks out of Oilers suckers.
He is happy: he makes money. His bottom line is great therefore the team is doing just fine.
Boycott the Oilers now!!!

Had a good coach in OKC who almost made it to the Calder Cup playoffs. I think if Nelson made it to the final dance he would of gotten consideration with the Oilers this year. Frankly he appears to be the only decent coach we have in the organization.

Good Post, Eakins is a disaster, Todd Nelson should have been the guy up here if MacT found an urge to fire a guy after 48 games.

This will be a tough game. If we can somehow limit Stamkos and St. Louis, then we'll have a chance. Easier said than done but that's where Dubnyk needs to step in and make some big saves. Come on big guy, stop the puck!

get another win and the next player that tries to take out RNH's knees please retaliate accordingly-to my count there has been three knee contacts on RNH that the defender deliberately threw out-as for gazdic call out the person that threw out the knee, not the other teams toughie!

A couple of years ago the Tampa Bay Lighting sign a 21 year old undersized undrafted player to an AHL contract. Kid plays well in the AHL, gets a shot with the big club. Kid exceeds expectations, so they showcase him, sometimes with sheltered minutes, sometimes with talented line mates. At age 23 kid gets serious consideration for NHL Rookie of the Year. The kids name is Cory Conacher. So, what do the Lightening do? Rather than sit around and thank their lucky stars, they have the COURAGE to trade the kid while the kid is at his peek of expectations/potential, to the Ottowa Senators for back up goalie Ben Bishop.......THAT TAKES COURAGE! THATS NOT EASY...THAT IS BOLD !

Except for the part where they showcase him and then have the courage to trade him at peek value, this is actually the story of the Oilers Mark Arcobello.

I'm asking not sarcastically but I'm genuinely confused by what you mean by calling France and Greece doormats? I am not sure if you are referring to sport or anything else?? No offence intended, just baffled actually.

In WW2 France put up little resistance in the nazis march to the Atlantic, while Greece was the similar scenario going east... ( doormats)France was glorying in its Napoleonic zenith while Greece was - and still does - talks about how great it was a couple of millenia ago. And the way this rebuild is going, it will be few millenia before the oil gets the cup...

Goaltending is broken, MacT have you seem the goalie depth in Anaheim? Please make a move I would rather see the Oil lose with a 20 year old John Gibson, then a 27 year 3.7 mil failed experiment. Or how about that Anderson guy,? Fasth? Hiller?

Goaltending is broken, MacT have you seem the goalie depth in Anaheim? Please make a move I would rather see the Oil lose with a 20 year old John Gibson, then a 27 year 3.7 mil failed experiment. Or how about that Anderson guy,? Fasth? Hiller?

Why would the Ducks help the Oilers out after what we did to them with Justin Shultz and Dustin Penner? The reality is no other organizations are going to help us out. Other organizations feel that Lowe/Katz's plan to intentionally nose dive to get high draft picks was a joke. They love us losing, there is no help coming without a massive over pay.

So Dallas Eakins, like Kreuger, thinks Smyth can play well at center? Wait a minute, who is the real coach here? Why could two different coaches (assuming they are both smart people) come out with the same stupid idea? Is this Lowe coaching again?

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
-- Albert Einstein

"Unless they acquire another goalie the Oilers need to stick with Devan Dubnyk. Jason LaBarbera is not going to perform better, so tell Dubnyk he's your guy, and tell him to stay focused the entire game. Challenge him to be consistent.

Well once Joensuu and Perron get back, our team suddenly looks pretty good up front. Assuming Arco can play at least half as good as he is right now, maybe, JUST MAYBE, we can get this season rolling...

We all want bold................I just want some D-man who is our captain to not be such a goat with the puck. I also want a coach who doesn't stick his worst center *cough* Gagner out against one of the games best in Stamkos to continually get embarrassed shift after shift after shift. I swear every time Gagner is on the ice the puck is in the Oilers end it doesn't leave or it dies on his stick in the offensive zone.

I don't blame Ferrance. Everybody makes mistakes. At least he shows effort and calls a spade a spade. Dubnyk has to go, Smid has to go, one of the fab five have to go, BOLD!!

Why would the Ducks help the Oilers out after what we did to them with Justin Shultz and Dustin Penner? The reality is no other organizations are going to help us out. Other organizations feel that Lowe/Katz's plan to intentionally nose dive to get high draft picks was a joke. They love us losing, there is no help coming without a massive over pay.

Then a massive overpay it is.

Justin Schultz for Anderson and Penner. That should earn me some good trashes

Gagner should not be playing ahead of Arcobello at this time (especially coming off of a 2 goal game) and Smyth should not be playing center. I would include Gagner on the PP, but until he gets his timing back I would change the lines from:

Normally, you expect the healthy player to help those who return from an injury. But we expect Hall to jumpstart Gagner and Yakupov in his first game back after out 2 weeks? Isn't it too much to ask from a 21 year old?

I think that Gagner's less than stellar defensive work is why they got Perron. Perron pretty good defensively and the Gagner-Perron combo in the preseason looked pretty good. Too bad they have yet to play with each other during the regular season.

I don't get why if you got four centers that why you play a guy outta position who plays well on the boards. Eakins has enough horses to roll four lines 5x5. Play your top two lines consistently, and make your 3/4 lines battle it out who will play more down the stretch.

Instead you got Gagner who is non-existent on the dot, who will probably go 2-14. Stamkos will get this match-up and the Oilers will get roasted in their own zone. The fourth line will continue to play 5 minutes, with Smyth getting a shift on the PP, and a few on the penalty kill. Tampa's got two Oiler lines to destroy tonight. I'm predicting a 5-4 Oiler loss, with Stamkos with the trick.

Umm no.

Eakins has 3 NHL lines and a bunch of AHLers on the 4th.

Which is one of the key problems with the Oilers...zero depth...anywhere.

Gagner should not be playing ahead of Arcobello at this time (especially coming off of a 2 goal game) and Smyth should not be playing center. I would include Gagner on the PP, but until he gets his timing back I would change the lines from:

HE CHASED STAMKOS BEHIND THE NET! THEREFORE PETRY SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERING HIS SIDE BECAUSE THATS WHERE THE PUCK IS GOING! YOU DON'T KNOW $HIT ABOUT HOCKEY IF YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS THAT!

All Ference had to do was skate the puck out, If you can't see that, You are the idiot.

I think people should start realizing that Sam Gagner is not going anywhere. MacT signed him for 3 years, publicly promising that he wouldn't trade Sam during the first two. Unless Sam wants to go, It would be professional suicide.

Arco may be here to stay, too, and when have we ever been in a position to scoff at having too many centres. If Gags plays wing (and as a solid replacement centre) and Arco can stay at center, it gives a serious option to deal a winger for a dman.

Good lord is Gagner bad at faceoffs. Has he even won any tonight? How did he get this far into his NHL career with such a low faceoff win percentage?

Tough to generate scoring chances when they're constantly trying to retrieve the puck.

He's actually won the same amount as Gordon has tonight if you can believe it. He's at 57% currenly with Gordon at 58% and Nuge sitting at 40%. I wouldn't have guessed those stats but that's what they have listed.